Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-06-27

Another affidavit, signed by John Cara
co, told the same story about the visit to
the place after Mr.. Todd and the woman
and the horse had disappeared.
DR.. Sunderland then presented the follow
ing exceptions to the charges presented:
We propose for record only, and not with any
purpose or desire to delay investigation or in any
way obstruct or embarrass the proceedings in this
CASE the following exceptions to the document
presented as charge against Rev. Z. N. Todd.
l. There is nothing stated in This document
which may not be consistent with the innocence of
the accused as to any offence within the meaning
of our hook.
,. The document does not in express terms al
ege GnySHch offence but leaves it 10 Jct lTed from
the circumstances recited.
3. No offence IS formally charged and no Specifca.
ton under such charge is given, required by
p. 464. S, 1916.
4. The atlidavits attached to the document pur-
port to be uncertilied copies only of the originals
traced in pencil lines.
5. On the showing of this document the only
ground on which Prcsbytery proceed in the
process against AIR. Todd is to assume in the outset
that the man and woman said to have been seen
under the alleged circumstances were there and
then together for an improper and impure pur-
pose. But nothing of this sort is alleged in the
document: all is left to Inference, suspicion and
conjecture
6. The form of this document is vague and in
adequate in another respect \ certain nan is
charged with being in company with an unknown
woman. The man is claimed 10 have been recog-
nzed, but the woman escapes into an lmpcnc-
trablc obscurty, without name, identity or local
hqbitaton So far as this document with the atii-
davits attached shows to the contrary, it may
lave been the mans own wife that was with him,
and if husband and wife were seen together whose
business is it but their own.
Z. This document moreover is q covert and
cruel attack on the entire white female commune
ty of the neighborhOod, subjectng every such
woman to the most narrowing suspicion and yet
deprving each and all of them of any opportuni-
ty to repel it-even those women whose names
are signed to this document, unless We shall call
them here to prove I'll dtl6
After considerable debate as to what
should be done, the motion to appoint a
committee to inquire into the case and re-
port as TO whether an investigation should
or should not be had was adopted. Rev.
Drs: Fullerton, Childs and Hamlin and
Messrs Walker and Lyman were appointed
s1ch committee, with instructions to re-
port at - o'clock The committee retired
and the presbytery took recess.
At II o'clock the committee returned and
submitted report, stating that in view OF
thu hat rumors were current affecting
Il lcter of Rev. T. NJ. Todd, and that
had asked for an investigation,
S estigation be granted, provided
piBt &larges be formulated and present
ed Nd that when the presbytery adjourn
it be 10 get at the New York avenue Pres
byterian church at 10 Il. m. next Thursday.
After debate the report of the committee
was amended 30 az to have tho presbytery
meet at the New York avenue church at 10
a. IN. next Tuesday instead OF on Thursday.
Mr. Nourse subsequently said that be had
in his possession all the papers of the accu
sers. These papers mad been sent to him
to he placed in the hands CT the committee
when appointed, and producing package
of papers, be stood ready 10 hand over all
those papers whenever the committee should
be appointed. Mr.. Nourse had disclaImed
that he represented the accusers. He said
they requested him TO act for them, ami he
refused. But the original allidavits ard al
other papers relied upon by the eccusers TO
make out their case wero sent to him Fri
day, and he would place them in the hands
of the proper tribunal.
The presentation Of these papers impaired
new phase to tina situation. Considerable
stress had been laid upon the fact that only
copies OF the atdavits were before the pres
bytery, and that nobody present knew
where the originals were; thar the copies
were not evidence and the accusers would
have to be called upon to produce the orig.
inals
Mr.. Nourse's presentation Of the original
allidaviis and Of the other papers Of the nc
cused at once did away with all opposition
to the immediate appointment of a judicial
committee. 1t was unanimously decided 10
appoint such committee ut once and to
place in the hands of such committee all
the papers of the case. On motion the COM
mttee of investigation, consisting oil Rev. |
Drs. Fullerton, Childs and Hamlin, and
Messrs Walker and Lyman, was constituted
the judicial committee, and authorized TO
take formal and judicial charge of The case
Quite little scene followed between DIR. Sun |
derland aud Mr.. Nourse. The former wanted to |
know if the latter appeared rs judge or as 4 Sij
counsel1fo the accuscrs of Mir. Todd.
81 want tho brother to understand, exclaimed |
Mr. Nourse, jumping to his feet and shaking his
forefnger at Dr. Sunderland, that l object 10
any man using such language to me- As man, !
as Christian and as gentleman ling it back |
at him. And SIR" shaking his fist at the rcver
end doctor, II deny it. | deny it, sir, omphst- |
cally ! object to the sub rosa, and. what is |
more. will let no man say such things about me. |
1t is IN implication on my character.
81 did not intend to imply anything; simply |
wished to find out what he would do in the future
l wish to say, however,
~ call the gentleman to order said Mr.. Noursc |
Il will not be set upon, sir, by you, sretorted |
Dr.. Sunderland
CDR Sunderland is in order said the modera-
tor, and the Doctor proceeded to talk, which |
brought ont considerable bad feeling and high |
words.
Finally the breach was healed, DIR. Sunderland |
withdrawing the Sub rosa The committee viii
OF Tr i,,t
terry adjourned to meet at the New York avenue
Presbyterian Church Tomorrow morning at ten
o'clock, when the trial will begin.
Forgery.
BEAUYOIR, Miss, June q. 1857.